The Bucs signed veteran exterior linebacker Randy Gregory on April 4 so as to add some expertise to Tampa Bay’s very younger group of move rushers and edge defenders.
However exterior of exhibiting as much as signal his one-year, $3 million contract, Gregory has been a no-show on Bucs exercises this offseason. Gregory skipped the staff’s voluntary OTAs, and his absence for the staff’s three-day necessary mini-camp was unexcused. Gregory was subjected to fines in extra of $100,000 consequently.
So will Gregory present up for coaching camp subsequent week? The gamers report for camp on Tuesday, July 23 and the primary follow is the next day.
In a sit-down interview with Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles appeared detached about Gregory’s standing.
“We’ll see,” Bowles mentioned. “I don’t know. I don’t know. Gamers undergo private issues within the offseason they usually have selections to make. We’ve selections to make, so we’ll see.”
Even though the 32-year outdated Gregory has seven years price of expertise within the league, Bowles runs a really complicated and complicated defensive scheme. The Bucs head coach and defensive play-caller was emphatic in saying that Gregory is way behind the staff’s different exterior linebackers at this level.
“You possibly can’t simply are available in right here and play,” Bowles mentioned. “You can not simply are available in right here and play.”
Bucs OLB Randy Gregory and Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes – Picture by: USA In the present day
Reynolds prompt that the Bucs minimize Gregory and transfer on from him in a current Pewter Pulse video. If Gregory, who’s suing the NFL and has a historical past of non-public points, doesn’t report for camp on Tuesday, anticipate Tampa Bay to half methods with him and finish his Buccaneers profession earlier than it even begins.
Bowles could be very proud of the gathering of younger expertise the staff has assembled within the exterior linebacker room. Only a few weeks after signing Gregory, the Bucs spent a second-round decide on Alabama move rusher Chris Braswell. Plus, veterans Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Anthony Nelson are getting into contract years and can be extremely motivated to play effectively in 2024. The Bucs even have a trio of second-year abilities in starter Yaya Diaby, Tampa Bay’s main sacker final yr, and reserves Markees Watts and Jose Ramirez.
“It’s an excellent group they usually play very effectively” Bowles mentioned. “We don’t take a look at sacks as all the pieces. So long as they get strain they usually disrupt issues they usually can set the sting and play the run, we’re good. There are only a few guys which might be going to be double-digit sack guys. They may get their sacks, however some are going to get ran by 100 occasions and we don’t wish to open any holes in that method, too. We like our group. They’re younger. All of them are robust and I’m wanting ahead to them rising collectively.”
Randy Gregory May Not Present Up, However Will Tristan Wirfs To Report To Camp?
Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs, TE Ko Kieft and SS Kaevon Merriweather – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles is perhaps with out his beginning left sort out in the beginning of coaching camp, however he expects Tristan Wirfs to be there on the sidelines. Wirfs, who’s searching for a multi-year contract extension, missed the voluntary OTAs and didn’t take part within the staff’s necessary mini-camp in June.
However he did present up. The truth is, Wirfs, who’s presently taking part in on his fifth-year choice, has been an everyday exercise participant within the staff’s power and conditioning program at One Buccaneer Place. He’s presently a “hold-in” versus a “holdout.” The distinction is that he can be readily available to observe follow and take psychological reps whereas normal supervisor Jason Licht and assistant G.M. Mike Greenberg work with Wirfs’ representatives and proceed contract negotiations.
Bowles isn’t involved if Wirfs’ hold-in lasts a couple of days or perhaps a week into camp till his new contract is finalized.
“No, I’ve been round lengthy sufficient to see how enterprise works on each side,” Bowles mentioned. “I perceive the participant facet being a former participant. I perceive the teaching facet and I perceive the enterprise facet. These issues will work themselves out. Clearly, we love Tristan. We predict the world of him. However these issues must work themselves out. Clearly, we paid Mike [Evans], we paid Win (Antoine Winfield Jr.) and we paid Baker [Mayfield]. Lavonte [David] got here again and bought some.
“It’s going to occur yearly with each staff with cap conditions. Some might receives a commission straight away, and a few might have to attend a second, however they’ll get there. And it’s only a matter of hashing all of it out, and I perceive that and the way it comes collectively. So, you perceive that half and also you type of go from there. That’s all I can do as a coach. I hope it really works out sooner fairly than later and we’ll go from there and prepare to play.”
